The Merle Band Clamp

The Merle Band Clamp feature quick release corners and pivoting, self-adjusting jaws that align to any angle, even circles! Includes a 23 ft. steel banding reel, four quick release corners,and four pivoting jaw inserts. The flexible jaw inserts are non-marring and are easily removed. They are made of high impact ABS plastic for a long life and heavy use. The dual pivot feature allows the Merle to clamp virtually any size, shape, or project securely!
Perfect for circles and ovals and polygonal shapes such as:

all customer reviews and ratings

I bought the set of four with extra jaws. These are excellent clamps, but plan on an hour or two learning before you do a glue up.
The jaws are one inch wide, and if your project is narrower, (my outside edge was 3/8th inch), you will need spacers under the project to raise it to the middle of the jaws. Otherwise, the band WILL tilt the pieces during glue up, resulting in a messed up project.
The clamp worked extremely well for glueing a raised panel door with rubber space balls to keep the panel from rattling. The clamp forced the sides together with ease.

Great Clamp (5/5), Jun 5, 2013

By Jim H
(Ottawa On CA)

Used these to edge 1/2" Baltic Birch with 1/2" x 1/2" Mahogany. Very impressed, clamped well with no slippage.

Merle Corner clamp (3/5), Feb 23, 2013

By Vernon Lee
(Mattapan Ma US)

Tell me something how are do you reel in the band without all that spring action other then that I think it's a good product.

rsdaisher (5/5), Dec 8, 2012

By Robert Daisher
(Lake Placid Fl US)

I owned 4 of these clamps for a long, long time. They are great to use, you will not be disappointed with them.

Doc (5/5), Aug 24, 2012

By Richard Gray
(Golconda IL US)

When I first used this clamp I thought what a waste of money. It has a learning curve to it and after countless uses on portrait frames and display cases, I have to say this was one of the best purchases that I have ever made for my woodworking shop. It is incredible. I just finished a 52"x17" rifle display case with perfectly square corners. I have messed with many framing clamps, but none like this. Once you solve that minor learning curve, it's fantastic.

Merle clamp (5/5), Jun 17, 2012

By M Hoover
(Berrysburg PA US)

This is the best band clamp I have ever used. It gives equal clamp pressure at all joints and squares your project at the same time. This will never happen with nylon strap clamps.
It took a couple trial runs to get the hang of how it works, now it's a breeze.
I will be buying more as the need arises.
Thanks MLCS for all the great products

Merle Clamp (5/5), May 16, 2011

By Bill
(Inwood WV US)

Excellent Clamp! Will buy more. Easy to use and achieves even pressure on all four corners as advertised.

Merle Clamp (5/5), Nov 22, 2010

By Leonard Budny
(Depew NY US)

I used to hate making frames of any kind. It was never easy to get them clamped up to produce good, tight joints. When I needed to make a frame for an antique leaded glass window I decided to try the Merle Clamp. My original expectation was "just another band clamp" but I was surprised at the results this clamp produced. Great, tight joints. As long as your miters are true you'll always get a strong, square frame. I'm still not a fan of making frames, but with the Merle Clamp I get the results I'm looking for. Highly recommended.

Good for what it is designed for. (4/5), Jan 6, 2010

By John Schaben
(La Crosse KS US)

I have had this thing for a few months and it is excellent for what it was designed for; Clamping large, multi-sided projects. If you are looking for something to clamp small projects like clocks, picture frames or the like, keep shopping. This will just be an exercise in frustration and futility.
For larger projects, from boxes up it works very well. The steel band seems a bit cumbersome at first, but once you get the hang of it is an advantage. Admittedly, there is a bit of a learning curve associated with dealing with the rigidity of the steel but with a little practice it becomes a real advantage. There is a bit of an issue at first with rolling the band up also as it doesn't like to slide along itself very well, at first. But some use and a few judicious applications of graphite alleviate this problem.
Overall a reasonably good acquisition and I will probably get another to make a set.

Merle corner clamp (5/5), Oct 17, 2009

By Sean Bell
(Burlington Ne US)

I have 18 and I love them. They square your product for you I need ten more but I will buy 3 four packs....much better deal. They are the BEST band clamps out there by far.

Merrill clamp (2/5), Feb 15, 2009

By Art Maki
(Buhl Mi US)

Not worth a crap if your material is thinner. Bought it because of the video With mitered doors, but wasn't happy with it.